Verdun Edward Pearn

Verdun Edward Pearn was born on the 7th December 1916 and was named in recognition of the Battle of Verdun in France. As a baby he very nearly didn’t survive after contracting both whooping cough and measles.

Even as a small child, Verdun had an enquiring and mechanical mind. At 15 he built a working model traction engine in the farm workshop, using various bits and pieces he found.

For example:

• The flywheel was off an old highchair,

• The wheels were made of tin cut from kerosene tins,

• The gauge glass was once an old car fuse,

• The control rods were fabricated from bicycle spokes,

• The steering gears were from a car speedo drive,

• Some of the brass work came from old horse harnesses,

• The gears were from a small separator and a gramophone

• An old alarm clock also gave up some gears and brass pieces for this project.

Verdun’s father, Ted, was so impressed with the model engine that he bought a sheet of copper for Verdun to finish the engine and make the tender. This cost thirty shillings.

With both of his brothers serving in the Australian Army, the farm and contracting business fell to Verdun. With the assistance of his younger sister Gwen, the Pearn family continued the harvesting round with the use of older men and boys.

A natural mechanic, with a flair for physics, Verdun could repair or make anything. The whole district knew that, when something broke they could bring it to Verdun to fix.

In later life he built his own sailing yacht in the farm workshop, before moving on to make the model steam train, and two model traction engines; one of which is used here at Pearns Steam World.

Verdun died on the 20th September 2014 – in his 98th year. His was survived by his son Geoffrey. His wife Dorothy having predeceased him.